The 64 Button Shield not only allows you to use up to 64 buttons with your next Arduino project, it also has a hidden “easter egg” that allows it to output MIDI. This video demonstrates MIDI functionality by using a 64 Button Shield, a Midivox, and an Arduino together for use as a physical interface for your favorite MIDI compatible music program. Want to build one? The Maker Shed has everything you need (except the arcade buttons.) Also, looking for a great deal? Today would be a great day to subscribe to the Deal of the Day or to start following us on Twitter!

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Launched originally as a source for back issues of MAKE Magazine, the Maker Shed expanded rapidly to meet the demand for ‘projects in a box,’ otherwise known as kits. Now we have a little bit of everything for makers, crafters, and budding scientists, from Arduinos to sock monkeys to chemistry sets .

I’ve been toying with the idea of making a custom USB based controller for my PC. Would I be able to use this button shield and an Arduino to make a custom PC controller that hooks up to my PC via USB? Would it show up like a Joystick, or could I emulate a USB Keyboard?

Anonymous

an arduino always shows up as a serial port to a computer. Use a Teensy instead, you can easily set the up to be a keyboard (or more complicatedly set it up to be a joystick).

Anonymous

an arduino always shows up as a serial port to a computer. Use a Teensy instead, you can easily set the up to be a keyboard (or more complicatedly set it up to be a joystick).